Edit: awww crap, I forgot disclaimer, huh? Well, you know the drill. I don't own these characters, locations, or anything else related to the game. This is all just to mindless writing of a silly fangirl with extra time on her hands.
The Innocence in You
Ch1
Chelsea was full of mixed feelings. She was finally starting her own life, away from the city and her alcoholic mother. But she would be leaving an entire life behind as well. That included the older brother that fought so hard to protect her and get her emancipated. The fact was that she'd be completely on her own, and that was scary for a 16-year-old, but she wouldn't have it any other way. That first step was more than just boarding a boat. It was the first step of her new life.
The ship's captain logged her information in the manifest and she chatted politely with him for a while before deciding to turn in early. It had been a trying day. The passing hours went by in a blur. A storm, a loud cracking noise, then water. Lots of water. Then she'd finally become fully aware of herself as she lugged the heavy watering can away from the river and to the small, freshly plowed plot of land. She found herself staring at the seeds in the dirt and then the can and then back at the seeds. How the heck did she get there?
The girl sat in the nearby grass, leaving the watering can at her side. She assessed the situation, almost remembering that she had been the one to suggest farming the land, and then someone tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey! Chelsea, right?" She turned to find the pink haired girl. Natalie, she recalled.
"Uh, yeah." She stood to face the girl, dusting herself off.
"Here, take these." Natalie handed her three varieties of the plump herbs that grew on the island, "There isn't much else to eat on this shitty island, so we'll all have to chew on these."
"Thanks," Chelsea said as she accepted the plants, a little taken aback by the other girl's cursing.
"Hey, if you ever wanna hang, that's cool. We're all in this together, huh? See ya." The girl walked away, waving at Chelsea, and disappeared on the path to and from the ranch. She seems nice, Chelsea thought to herself. She took a bite of the blue herb and found it to taste like the homemade lemonade from her childhood, back when her mother was still loving and gentle. Choked up, she returned to watering. Again, she was reminded of her mother, back in the garden she loved to help her with so long ago. A rebellious tear slid down her cheek and she wiped it away, continuing her work uninterrupted.
–
Just two weeks into spring and Chelsea had started expanding her planting area. She'd decided on sharing some of her crops with the townspeople instead of just shipping them with the rest. She figured if they shared, no one would have to starve as they built this island up.
The little farmhouse she called home was very dusty when she moved in, so today she decided to take the time off to clean it up. She opened the windows and the door and hung the single rug out back on the clothesline to be beaten later. She planned on doing laundry too. The sheets on her bed, the drapes, and the few clothing items from her one surviving suitcase were all she had. With everything prepared, she began her cleaning, starting by wiping and dusting and then sweeping the floor.
Over the small bump on the path came a black-clad cowboy, his spurs jangling on every step. He approached the open door and fought back cough after inhaling some of the dusty air coming from inside. The girl inside had her back turned, sweeping up the dust briskly and coughing here and there. He cleared his throat and knocked on the doorframe in order to get her attention and she turned to him.
"Ma'am?"Getting a better look at her, he remembered that she'd be more of a "miss."
"Oh, hi. You must be new to the island. I'm Chelsea," she introduced herself as she offered her free hand. He politely tugged on the brim of his hat instead and crossed him arms, leaving her to lower her hand in disappointment.
"Name's Vaughn."
"The animal guy, right? I hope to see you around."
"Don't get fresh. I'm only gonna be here a couple of days every week." She frowned, finding his standoffish attitude discouraging.
"Well, lets try to get along, since you'll provide animals for me someday." Soon, she added mentally. Her decision was to counter with kindness, smiling at him sweetly and chuckling a bit. He blinked at this, finding her smile to be unexpected.
"Whatever, I'm gone." He scowled as he prepared to leave.
"Bye-bye, then, Vaughn." She smiled even sweeter and wriggled her fingers at him and then he was gone. She went back to cleaning so that it wouldn't take all day. He seems nice, she thought with slight sarcasm.
Vaughn didn't have anything against women personally. He just found so many of them to be damn annoying. Like Chelsea. He just knew that girl was gonna be trouble. All sweet and smiley... And cute. Nope, he couldn't even consider it. According to Mirabelle and Julia, she was only 16 which was very illegal, seeing as how he was nine years her senior. He quickly put the entire thought out of his mind. Or tried. Damn, she was trouble.
He walked into his aunt Mirabelle's house, where he'd be staying during his visits to the island. Julia noticed he wearing his trademark scowl as he joined her in the kitchen and had a seat at the table, crossing his arms. The blonde raised one corner of her lips in a look that said, 'what now?'
"Why the sour face, Vaughny?" She teased as she went to check on the baked goods in the oven. "Hn," was his reply.
"So, did you meet Chelsea?" He nodded and she continued, "Ain't she just a sweetie? I don't doubt that she's gunna help the island grow." He scoffed. That girl was incredibly sweet. Saccharine even. And this backwater island probably wouldn't go anywhere with just one rancher. Julia Shrugged at his silence and checked on her baked goods again.
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A/N: Indeed this was a short chapter. For all intents and purposes, an introduction that was probably rather rushed so I could get to the good stuff. Not the best way to write, by the way. Well, the next two chapters are in the works and will be completed soon. I really need to sleep now or my tiredness will start to show in my writing. I hope you all enjoy this funky ride I've set up!
